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Gluten has been getting a lot of attention lately. The popularity of gluten-free diets has grown significantly over the last year, and it seems that everyone is jumping on the “no gluten” train. But what is gluten exactly, and what can it do to your body?If you’re wondering about it, the Great Harvest in Hillsboro has put together a post to keep you on the loop! Read on to find out more about gluten, its effects and the alternatives available!

Learning About Gluten

What is Gluten

Gluten is basically a protein present in some grains (like some kinds of wheat and oats). It is used, among other things, to make the doughs more flexible and the breads fluffier and chewy.

Where Can You Find It

The thing about gluten is that it’s in a lot of items we consume! Breads, fried and/or processed food, pasta, certain flours, cereals, cookies, dressing, among other foods could contain gluten. It can also be present in beauty products, shampoo, sunscreen, etc.!

What Are Its Effects

In some people, gluten can create an allergic reaction, but it generally affects those with celiac disease, which is a condition of the small intestine. For these people, having a gluten-free diet is very important because it can cause a variety of discomforts like rashes, and abdominal pain.

On the other hand, it’s been said that a gluten-free diet can have a positive outcome on the body. Due to its presence in processed food, by avoiding gluten, you’re also eliminating chemicals and preventing sickness like heart disease and diabetes, and improving your overall immune system.

The Alternatives

If you’re left wondering what you’ll be able to eat if you want a gluten-free diet, fear not! There are a lot of grains that don’t have any gluten and that represent a great option for intolerants. For example, some kinds of wheat, sweet corn, brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, among others.

Due to its increasing popularity, gluten-free items have been flourishing in the market to help out those who are unable to consume it or who want the benefits of a gluten- free diet.In the Great Harvest, our bakers are constantly looking for alternatives that won’t compromise a good bread. We recently came up with the Berry Muffin and Cinnamon Chip Scone especially for those who need or would like to get rid of gluten. We always aim to please our clients, so remember that you can count on the Great Harvest to have the best variety on bread in Hillsboro!